We had our wedding reception at Brass Bear Brewing Co. Uptown and I honestly cannot put into words how incredible this team was. They didn't just host our wedding- they genuinely took care of us, and I will be grateful to them forever for the amount of love, effort, and attention they poured into our day. From the beginning, Emily (the venue coordinator) was absolutely amazing. She was endlessly communicative, patient, accommodating, and supportive through every question, vision, change, and stress spiral I had throughout planning. Somehow she made all of my ideas come to life while still respecting our budget, which felt impossible at times. She truly became one of the people I trusted most throughout this process and was genuinely my hero. Kenzie and Melanie were our event leads the day of, and they completely ran the show flawlessly. They didn't just decorate the space beautifully (which they absolutely did -it looked PERFECT), they made sure Tyler and I were taken care of every second of the night. They got us food and drinks so we could actually eat without constantly being stopped, checked on us throughout the evening, handled problems before we even knew they existed, and made sure we were happy, relaxed, and able to actually enjoy our wedding. They made the entire night feel effortless, and I truly cannot imagine the day without them. We also specifically requested Darren as our bartender because we already loved him so much, and even though it was his normal day off, he still came in for our wedding. That meant the world to us. Anthony and Declan were also incredible support staff and helped keep everything running seamlessly all night long. Every single person at Brass Bear went above and beyond for us in ways I'll never fully be able to express. Our guests are still talking about how wonderful everything was, and truly one of the best decisions we made for our wedding was choosing this venue and this team. read more

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Such a cute, casual, and fun spot! It was very warm the day I visited so i really wanted to dine indoors with my daughter but unfortunately they were hosting an event. We sat outdoors and roasted even with the umbrellas they provided. Food took extremely long to arrive because we opted to order online ourselves but they never received our order. So make sure to double check with them to ensure your order went through if you choose to order yourself on mobile device. Nonetheless, food was delicious and drinks were refreshing! Also plenty of parking in the lot when there's no events going on. That's a plus for me! read more

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Killer food and service, playground for kids is home run. drinks are superb, corn hole was great. overall, love this spot and it made our trip! read more

From the very first bite, it was clear that Chef Zachary wasn't just feeding a room--he was telling a story. The garlic knots arrived as warm, fragrant invitations to the evening, each one pulling apart in soft, steamy strands and carrying that perfect balance of roasted garlic, butter, and salt. They didn't scream for attention; they set the tone, whispering that we were in the hands of someone who understands that hospitality starts with the smallest details. By the time the carving station came into view, the anticipation he had built with that opening act was already working in his favor. Then the world‑class Wagyu tri tip and mac and cheese sealed the promise. The tri tip, seasoned to absolute perfection and carved to order, was offered in beautifully cooked medium‑rare and medium slices, each piece showing a rosy center and a well‑developed, flavorful crust that gave just enough resistance before yielding to a deeply beefy, almost buttery tenderness that fully earned the "world class" label. Paired with mac and cheese that managed to be both nostalgic and elevated--silky, well‑balanced cheese clinging to perfectly cooked pasta rather than sinking to the bottom of the dish--the plate became more than a meal; it was an experience that invited you to slow down and savor. Together, these dishes revealed Chef Zachary's real skill: the ability to take comfort food and, without pretension, execute it at a level that makes people talk about the food long after the party ends. read more

Brass Bear Brewing - Special menu for my cousin's wedding reception prepared by Chef Zachary! - Breweries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Had a dinner event last night and it was spectacular! The staff were all wonderful; our guests raved about the drinks (via satellite bar) and the live-fire grilled food. I cannot thank Emily, Kenzie, and our amazing bartender enough for the great service/oversight, as well. Our event was on the patio and included the kid's corner- it was absolutely gorgeous and fit our needs perfectly. 10/10 - would recommend! read more

Brass Bear Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Came from Nebraska to elope in Santa Barbara! Had our celebration at the Brass Bear Uptown and it was amazing! Staff were wonderful! Emily made the planning so easy. Everything was great. read more

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Brass Bear never disappoints when it comes to the food! The two things that always stand out and a must order are the French fries and grilled cheese. Simple yes, but flavor wise they are both worthy of praise! The French fries are crispy, airy and perfectly seasoned. Trust me order them! The grilled cheese is buttery and toasty. Made with two year aged cheddar, Jack and Parmesan making it savory and delicious. The first bite is always a wow factor. I didn't order the grilled cheese this time, because I was craving a burger. I ordered the brass bear burger cooked medium which was prepared perfectly. My friends had the brisket tacos and loaded fries. I sampled the loaded fries and the meat was tender and flavorful. Everyone enjoyed their food. This place is great for a gathering, parties or special events. Outdoor seating is available with beautiful Mountain View's. Inside dining is also available and nicely laid out. They offer happy hour here, but the time frame is a little confusing. I asked about it, and the waitress wasn't clear on it either. It's not even posted on the website. Hopefully they update it! I do feel like the margaritas here are overpriced for $17. They are good, but the price is expensive compared to other places in town. That's my only gripe! Overall, a great place to dine at. read more

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This is one of the best resy restaurants in Santa Barbara. There are plenty of food options to choose from and everything seemed to be fresh. (Aside the elote, hint the four stars. Not that the elote was bad.) They even use fresh fruit pure for some of their cocktails. I also really liked the portion sizes for the price, it felt like 2020. I highly recommend the fried zucchini fritters and the steak kabobs. The drinks were also fabulous. We also enjoyed the outdoor patio area that was spacious, clean, and offered plenty of both sun and shade. It's a stop you won't regret. Best part: They have a happy hour! read more

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Food was prepared just right. Service was good. I went during a comedy time frame and people were talking during the show. This took away from vibe. read more

Brass Bear Brewing - Seasoned scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon, toast, and a mimosa to go with it. - Breweries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I was so excited to try this place but am so disappointed with the experience. My friend and I arrived at 6:10pm on a Wednesday night. Parking lot was full and we parked on the street up above, which was fine, but the restaurant didn't seem busy at all for a full parking lot. We walked inside and waited at the host podium to be seated. No one came. The bartender, about 5 feet away, saw us waiting there and didn't say anything. We watched a couple servers walk by who didn't address us either. After a while of no greeting and no host, I decided to go find someone to help us. The bartender then came around the corner, looking overwhelmed (maybe they were short staffed?), and grabbed menus but told us to wait. It was confusing. Then he wanted us to follow him outside and he plopped our menus on the table and left. We sat down and it was weird. It took forever for a server to notice us and come over. The vibe was strange and unwelcoming, though the location and building is beautiful. We finally got our food after another while and it was awful. The only good thing was the little side Caesar salad. I ordered the chicken kabob with a side of garlic knots and the Caesar ($24), my friend ordered the smash burger with a side Caesar ($20), and we got an appetizer of meatballs (can't remember the price). The meatballs came out last (even though they're an appetizer?) and everything was lukewarm at best (except the meatballs, those were actually nice and hot). The portions are so small for the price and the quality was terrible. The chicken was stretchy and fatty and did not taste good. I ended up not eating it. The garlic knots tasted like they were barely heated up after being frozen. The meatballs also tasted like a package of frozen meatballs heated up with some sauce/cheese poured on top of them. The burger was extremely unimpressive as well. We also had to wait a bit to get silverware and napkins even after we already had our food. After we were finished eating, it took so long to get the check that my friend had to get up and find someone. Again, I was really looking forward to trying this place as it's so close to where I live, but we truly had a terrible experience. Maybe it was a bad night and the place was short-staffed (and I understand if folks were overwhelmed with the lack of help), but we're definitely not coming back. read more

Brass Bear Brewing - Chicken Skewers - Breweries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Wonderful happy hour, great food, and a beautiful view from the large patio, but the highlight was the service anchored by Gabby behind the bar. We will be back! read more

Brass Bear Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We were in Santa Barbara for a weekend getaway service was amazing. Great beer selection and a cute little place to visit. read more

Brass Bear Brewing - Two great cold beers, IPAs - Breweries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We recently hosted our son's first birthday party at Brass Bear and had an incredible experience from start to finish. The correspondence leading up to the event was excellent--every question was answered promptly and clearly, which made planning so much easier. We reserved the back area/kids' play space, and it was the perfect setup for a family-friendly gathering. We also added on the decoration assistance option and I'm so glad we did. I dropped everything off the night before and the team put it all together exactly how I envisioned--it looked beautiful and took so much stress off the day of the event. The staff was beyond attentive. They kept drinks refilled, brought food out right on schedule, checked in with us throughout the party, and cleared plates and cups so the tables always stayed neat. Everything ran smoothly and we truly felt taken care of the entire time. Highly recommend hosting an event here--Brass Bear made it easy, enjoyable, and memorable! We couldn't have asked for a better experience. read more

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Lovely place with an amazing atmosphere and view of the mountains. Definitely recommend coming during sunset and sitting outside. Surprisingly good food, nothing bad on the menu. Our server Ivy was incredibly kind and helpful with choosing our food. read more

Brass Bear Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I wasn't too sure as to what I expect not like a brewery like we're used to. Did not have a whole lot to choose from and house beer selections. But if you want some outrageous brisket tacos this is definitely the place. My husband and I truly enjoyed those and my husband is picky about his tacos. He does not like red cabbage but he devoured it. We will be back. And looking forward to try more on the menu read more

Brass Bear Uptown is my go to for a craft cocktail on upper state! I love the espresso martini (they let me sub tequila). They recently updated their cocktail tables at the bar and have bar table top games, which is such a fun upgrade. Also their new cheesecake cup is I love relaxing with fries and a drink while enjoying the mountain view! read more

Brass Bear Brewing - Main Bar - Breweries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My husband and I were looking for a new place to try in SB for our anniversary. The Brass Bear was absolutely exceptional. The food was outstanding, but it's a low-key environment which we liked -not fussy. We sat on the patio with a lovely view and the service was great with Davin and Chef Zachery came out to say hello which was a nice touch. My husband had a burger and I had one of the best salmon dishes I have ever had in SB! Pricing was reasonable and parking was ample. Highly recommend and eager to go back. read more

Stopped in for a beer and a snack. The IPA was good! Sat at the bar and the bartender was friendly and attentive.

Service was great! Our server, Manuel, recommended the truffle fries and smashburger, and they were amazing! Worth checking out! And they have the most amazing view of the mountains read more

Had my daughter's bridal shower here earlier this month in the larger private room. Everything was just perfect. Food, beverages, service, was impeccable. My expectations were fully met. Working with Emily from the very start of the planning phase up until the day of was easy and pleasant. Thank you Brass Bear staff! read more

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Not too far away but just enough up and away to feel like a getaway, this is a top spot. Open, breezy, comfortable atmosphere. Outside patio is spacious with good views and umbrellas offered if it is too sunny. And the interior is also open, spacious, and really lovely. There is a comfy couch and big screen, but doesn't take over; more inviting, like welcome, have some fun. Comfortable even if busy, which is a plus! We came at lunch time on a Friday and it was pretty mellow. Even with a big group and other diners around, we had the feeling of plenty of space and ease. Great service. Awesome fries! Love that they have squash soup and more squash options. I was a little underwhelmed with the beet salad. It is big and beety, but not much else. Needs some bread and a little more umphah. Only two choices for desert but we all shared the white cake and it was really, really, really good. Absolutely recommend. The cocktails sound/ look delicious. On my list for next time for sure. The menu has enough choices for vegetarians, meat eaters, and fish n' chips folk. Bathroom has really fun wallpaper. read more

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declan and ivy ate this service. everything was so delicious. get the smash burger or the funk zone grill cheese. read more

Brass Bear Brewing - Leina - Breweries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Ivy and Decklan were awesome! I got the smashburger and it was 10/10!! Highly recommend.

Had some great drinks here. This location is great for big groups. Check out my latest visit here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C75ZfzvPWAe/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Follow me as I check out new places . read more

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I used to love this place, but the quality has gone downhill lately. Ever since Napo left, the drinks just aren't the same. What used to be some of the best cocktails in the Funk Zone now taste rushed and poorly balanced. On top of that, I've noticed the cups and even the ice didn't seem clean, which is honestly a big turnoff for a bar. It made me question the overall attention to detail behind the scenes. This spot used to be amazing, so it's disappointing to see such a noticeable drop in quality. I hope they step it up, because Brass Bear had a lot of potential before. read more

Kenia was amazing! So friendly, attentive, and on top of everything all afternoon. She made our experience seamless and enjoyable - we'll definitely be back to sit in her section again! read more

Very disappointing food almost flavorless. Grilled cheese looked like it was cooked in a toaster oven and tomato bisque was uhhh. Chicken sandwich was dry and also pretty flavorless. Won't be back read more

We hosted a surprise 40th birthday party for my husband at Brass Bear, and I can't say enough good things about this place. I was a little nervous bringing a big group in--worried it might feel chaotic or overwhelm the staff--but they absolutely crushed it. Every single team member was kind, attentive, and genuinely invested in making the day feel special. The service was seamless, the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, and the whole experience reminded us why we love Brass Bear so much. It's one of the few places that truly hits that sweet spot of being great for adults and incredibly family-friendly. Our guests (kids and grown-ups!) had the best time. Highly, highly recommend Brass Bear for anyone looking for a warm, easygoing spot to hang, celebrate, or just enjoy great food and drinks in a beautiful setting. read more

I wouldn't choose this place for a large group or party. We had our office party here last week which came to over $1000 and the service was so bad, I felt compelled to share. I'm sure a daytime visit for a smaller group is a different experience. One person in the "kitchen" not able to keep up and food was delivered cold and over an hour wait. My burger just tasted like vinegar and wet bread. Wine and cocktails were great and delivered quicker though ! Not a nice atmosphere when all the staff look stressed and miserable. Better places in the area to spend $1k. read more

This review is long overdue. My husband and I had our wedding reception here back in April and it was 12/10. Emily and the staff were so helpful and supportive through the entire wedding process. The food and drinks were amazing! Our guests continue to talk about how good dinner and drinks were. Brass Bear made our vision become a reality and it was truly the best day ever. read more

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Taylor is the best server I've ever had in my entire life. And I mean that. She made the experience 10/10. She should get a raise and some extra PTO. Zucc slices were good too. read more

Great food, great atmosphere, great service. Our server Jacob was fantastic. I will definitely be coming back and highly recommend this place to anyone in the area! read more

I arrived inundated with indecisiveness the prior day. My server, Jacob, resolved that immediately with his comprehensive bar knowledge, providing me a sequence of drinks that delighted me! Would recommend any recommendation from him! read more

we held our daughter's wedding at the Brass Bear Saturday Dec 6th. it turned out great. Emily, event planner, was very responsive and accommodating. The food was fantastic!!! we had about 70 people. the staff was great. very willing to help and make you happy. great place all around! read more

We went to Brass Bear Brewing for a family dinner when we were visiting Santa Barbara a couple weeks back. We needed a place that could accommodate nine people between the ages of one and 81 on very short notice, and this spot fit the bill. They were also flexible and relaxed enough that when three of our party inevitably bailed, the rest of us weren't stuck in an awkward situation with the staff. The space was great, a restaurant/brewery with ample parking and mountain views from a large patio. We ate inside because that's what was available for nine, but it was also warmer, which was nice for Grandpa, and the dining room was homey and pleasant, with friendly service. We did take advantage of Club Cub, a designated outdoor play area with lots of kids and toys. I guess Brass Bear's owners are parents who know both the pains and pleasures of dining out with small children. Incredibly, Club Cub is supervised, so parents can eat and drink knowing their little ones are safe. We didn't leave our kids this time, but would be all over some complimentary babysitting if we were sitting on the patio. I only had one beer but it was great, a tall glass of the light and refreshing Blood Orange Wheat. I ordered the surf and turf skewers for dinner, which came with one skewer each of shrimp and tri-tip as well as two sides of my choosing. This wasn't a huge meal, but it was satisfying. The jumbo garlic shrimp was juicy and flavorful, dressed in a spicy chipotle rosemary sauce. The tri-tip was tender marinated Snake River wagyu. I went with the street corn and broccolini for my sides and these were both solid. There was a kids menu, of course, and my toddler went to town on his spaghetti and meatballs. My older boy is pickier and had a hard time with his mac and cheese, which was probably just a smaller portion of the mac and cheese on the adult menu. Fair enough, but that was a sophisticated grown-up mac and cheese with fusilli and white sauce. I'd like to petition Club Cub to offer the yellow kind instead, maybe keep it simple and dish out the Easy Mac. We don't live in Santa Barbara but we visit often and are always happy to add kid-friendly restaurants to our rotation, especially if they also serve alcohol. I look forward to our next meal at Brass Bear Brewing, when Mommy and Daddy can drink beer while the boys enjoy some supervised playtime. read more

Thank you Brass Bear Staff for making our event so GREAT! A special shout out to Emily who was exceptionally helpful in booking the space and making our vision happen. She was great at letting us know layout, food options, and the day of communication plan. I highly recommend booking this space for your events. My friends and family loved the space, food, drinks and charismatic staff :) read more

WAYGU BEEF...Yes please!!! :) .... "Brass Bear Brewing"' is WAY more than beer! -This little gem, tucked on the hillside overlooking the Gelson's shopping center, offers a quiet, clean and delicious culinary experience. This space occupies the old "Stela Mare" location, but the new owners have really done a great job keeping the esthetic inviting, while catering to a diverse clientele. I strongly suggest enjoying their shady patio space, overlooking the Santa Ynez Mountains, complete with gentle breezes. The interior vibe looks a bit like a wedding tent, or garden-inspired theme. Everything is super clean and the serving staff are kind and friendly...very welcoming. There is a central bar where you can experience their beer and other beverage offerings. We ordered takeout through GrubHub (which as a nice perk, allows for PayPal access). We were FLOORED by the UTTERLY DECADENT "Waygu Beef Cheese Steak Sandwich" (the beef is succulent beyond measure). I enjoyed the fried chicken sandwich with House aioli, which was by far the best rendition on a garlic aioli I have had locally! My fiancée ordered the fish and chips, which had a perfect batter, but did not seem worth the price ($25), since you only receive (3) small, thin pieces of fish and the rest are fries. I hope the lovely owners take note of this and provide patrons with more fish strips, as for that entree cost, you would expect such. Prices are a bit steep, but we really enjoyed the flavor profiles and are happy to have found this restaurant. I'd highly suggest coming here for a Sunday brunch or early dinner and enjoying the patio with an iced tea and entree of choice. read more

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It's a quaint little place off the freeway in Santa Barbara. We stopped there on our way to the circus. Service was great food came out altogether. We had a party of 10 and nobody complained about anything. Had a nice patio to sit on too and drinks were great. read more

Finally stopped in to check out this spot and it was awesome! Met up with a friend for an after work glass of wine and snacks. I LOVE the location. They have tons of parking available and can offer both indoor and outdoor options. Their staff were all very attentive to seat us and take our order right away. Our drinks and food came out pretty quickly! Their outdoor tables were nearly all filled on a Wednesday evening, so this is definitely a popular spot. I really like the spicy grilled zucchini spears. They came with a cool yogurt-type dipping sauce- delicious! I also really enjoyed the rosé, which was their current rotating bottle. I will definitely be back! read more

Brass Bear Brewing - Spicy grilled zucchini spears - Breweries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

WINGS!! I asked for Hot crispy wings tossed in a spicy sauce. I got...cold, soggy, dry wings with a splattering of cold sauce:-( There was black colored ares on every - drumstick/wings...... I seperated the bones from the rubbery slimy meat and cooked conjealed blood and politely sent them back. The staff asked if they could please be afforded the opportunity to make things right. I agreed.....EXACTLY THE SAME Digusting result!! Sent them back I asked a staff member if they would eat the wings - a difinitve NO! On a positive note.....the staff were exemplary and I highly recommend the management upgrade the quality of the meat, so the back of the house compliments the service that the frontof the house staff provide... I ordered the Fish and chips which was excellent! Hot crispy and moist fish...absolutely a go to:-) read more